NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: May 23, 2026, 8:41 PM ET

Western Conference Finals

The Oklahoma City Thunder overcame a 15-point first-quarter deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 123-108 in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals, with the bench contributing 76 points in the comeback victory. Ajay Mitchell has been ruled out for Sunday's Game 4 due to a right calf strain, adding to Oklahoma City's injury concerns after Jalen Williams missed Game 3 with a left hamstring injury. San Antonio lost Dylan Harper to a right hamstring injury during their Game 2 loss, compounding their injury woes after Dejounte Murray's absence. The Spurs opened as favorites for Game, marking the first time in 34 playoff games that Oklahoma City entered as underdogs, though their Game 1 double-overtime thriller peaked at 12 million viewers, setting a record for most-watched Western Conference finals opener.

Eastern Conference Finals

Despite falling behind 2-0 in their series against the New York Knicks, the Cleveland Cavaliers expressed confidence in their ability to overcome the deficit after encouraging performances in both games, having previously erased 2-0 holes this postseason. The Cavaliers continue relying on a single clutch performer during crucial moments throughout their roller-coaster playoff run, while New York's massive Game 1 comeback was built on attacking James Harden at an historic level. Cleveland's core faces mounting pressure as the clock ticks on their championship window since the LeBron James era ended, with the franchise returning to conference finals for the first time since that period.

Individual Honors and Awards

Victor Wembanyama headlined the NBA All-Defensive First Team as the only unanimous selection, joined by Chet Holmgren, Ausar Thompson, Rudy Gobert and Derrick White. Bam Adebayo received the NBA's Social Justice Champion award for his community work, while the All-Rookie First Team featured unanimous selections of Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and VJ Edgecombe alongside Dereck Lively II and Stephon Castle. These honors come as ancient warrior training methods are credited with helping shape Wembanyama into an unstoppable force on both ends of the court.

Draft and Asset Management

The NBA draft landscape continues shifting following combine performances, with Jeremy Woo's mock projecting all 60 picks for 2026 as teams evaluate prospects. Oklahoma City and San Antonio lead draft asset tiers as the league's two best teams also control significant portions of the next eight drafts, providing long-term flexibility. The Thunder's playoff success coincides with their reputation as one of the most analytically-driven organizations in accumulating future draft capital.

Coaching Changes and Organizational Moves

The NBA coaching carousel gained momentum as Jason Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks parted ways, with Orlando and Chicago still seeking long-term solutions while New Orleans and Milwaukee secured their next head coaches. The Portland Trail Blazers laid off significant business-side employees as part of a reorganization under new owner Tom Dundon, while Minnesota Timberwolves president Tim Connelly vowed aggressive offseason moves after another disappointing playoff exit. These organizational shifts reflect the league's constant evolution as teams reposition for future contention.

League Commentary and Future Outlook

LeBron James described the talent gap between the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder as his team being "out-talented" in their playoff series, adding context to the Lakers' second-round exit. Latest NBA buzz continues surrounding James' future in Los Angeles, with insiders tracking potential moves ahead of free agency. The possibility of various NBA Finals matchups remains wide open as the conference finals continue, with analysts ranking each potential championship series based on historical significance and market appeal.